Fire-escape



// w. M. BUSBY.

FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-15.1916.

WILLIAM IVI. BUSBY, or MATTHEWS, MISSOURI.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

' the following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying draw- 1n %he invention relates to fire escapes, and moreparticularly to the class of'flexible ladders for useas fire escapes.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a ladderstructure wherein the chain members carry at equal distances apart setsof rungs, each of which is of novel form so as to properly brace theladder when 111 use to hold the same spaced from the wall of thebuilding and also serving to steady said ladder when suspended from thebuilding.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision of a ladder of thischaracter which may be rolled to occupy the least possible space whennot in use and which may be quickly extended and connected to the windowframe of a building for permitting the easy escape of occupants duringconfiagration, such ladder being composed of chains or other flexibleconnections and spacing members for engaging the bullding to hold theladder away from the same while in use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a ladder of thischaracter which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable andefficient in use, strong, durable and inexpensive in manufacture.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter set forth.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a ladder constructed "in accordancewith the invention extended for use;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the ladder showingone of the braces against the wall of the building;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through Specification of LettersPatent.

i Patented0ct. 7, 1919.

Application filed September 15, 1916. Serial No. 120,321.

a support for the ladder, the same being rolled or in collapsed formthereon;

I Fig. 4 is a'top plan View ofone of the ladder rungs or steps.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing."

Referring to the drawing in} detail, the

numeral 5 designates generally the chain members of the ladder, althoughother suitable flexible connections can be substituted therefor, andthese chain members at intervals thereof'have connected thereto metalcastings or members 6 which carry the steps or rungs of the ladder,which will be hereinafter fully described. Suitably mounted on theuppermost casting 6 of the ladder are hooks 8 which, when in use,areadapted to embrace the sill 9 of a window frame in -a building sothat the ladder may. be sus- 5 pended from the building and outsidethereof as is clearly shown in Fig. l of the draw- Each step or rungcomprises a U-shaped frame 7 which is formed with terminal engagingportions 8 embracing the castings or members 6, which have passedtherethrough a hanger rod 9, and within this frame 7 and suitably fixedthereto is a foot supporting stirrup 10 which is of the form shown inFig. 4 of the drawing so that when the foot of the user is placed uponthe step or rung the stirrup 10 will form a bearing or rest for the footwhen ascending or descending the ladder in the use thereof.

The castings or members 6 which are con nected'to the chain members 5 ofthe ladder will hold the steps or rungs in a horizontal plane, and uponeach frame 7 thereof, medially of the same or at the closed sidethereof, are anchoring spursor pins 11 which are adapted to bite intothe wall of the building when the ladder is suspended from the windowframe thereof so that the ladder will be firmly held I against swinginginwardly toward the wall and thereby sustain the ladder braced orsupported with relation to the wall at certain points thereof, and thusin this manner the ladder will be prevented from engaging the wallbetweenthe braces and will permit free access to the steps or rungs whenthe same is in use.

The rod 9 is passed through each pair of castings or members 6 and thelimbs of the chain members 5 of the ladder.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a ladder support frame 7 so that the ladder isrendered rigid and will be properly supported upon the 12 which may beof any; approved form; having the Windlass or drum 13 on which is coiledthe ladder for the holding thereof, when not in use, in compact form,the bracesbeing of a size to avoid interferencevwiththev coiling of theladder upon the support and are so mounted as to permit swingingmovement upwardly to be placed between the adjacent portions of thechains when the ladder is wound on the support.

The frames 7 form the braces to the ladder when extended, as said framescontact at their closedsides withthe wall of the building and theanchoring pins 11 bite into the same and thereby secure the-ladder inextended position from the wall for the proper hanging of the same foruse.

Having thus described my invention, 1

claim: V V V 1. 'A' fire escape including flexible members, a pluralityof rung carryingmembers connecting portions of said flexible members, aplurality ,of spacing brackets connected with the rung carrying members,rungs engaging the rung carrying members and spacingbrackets' to holdthe same together,

copies of this patent may be obtained for 'gether, supports on said anda support on said brackets and extending inwardly toward said rungs toprovide auxiliary foot supporting mediums.

2; A fire escape includingflexible mem- .bers, a plurality, of rungcarrying members bers, a plurality of rung carrying members connectingportions of said flexible members,

a plurality of U-shaped spacing brackets connected with the rungcarrying members,

rungs engaging the rung carrying members and spacing brackets to holdthe same tobrackets extending inwardly toward the rungs and in the sameplane with said brackets to provide auxiliary foot supporting mediums,and anchoring pins on sa1d brackets for engaging a 'wall'to hold thefire escape in positlon;

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. .WILLIAM M: BUSB Y.

five. cents each, by addressing the Commissioner .of Patents,Washington, 1L0.

